Who Can Register a .IN Domain? Print

A Complete Eligibility Guide from an Accredited .IN Registrar

India’s country‑code domain extension .IN is regulated by the .IN Registry. Unlike generic domains, .IN registrations are subject to eligibility rules and verification requirements.

As an Accredited .IN Registrar, we’ve created this clear, modern, and user‑friendly guide to help individuals and businesses understand who can register a .IN domain, which option applies, and what is required.

This guide is designed to prevent confusion, failed orders, and future compliance issues.

Why .IN Domains Have Eligibility Rules

The .IN namespace represents India’s national identity on the internet. To protect trust, security, and authenticity, the registry requires:

• Verified ownership

• Accurate registrant details

• A genuine connection with India

As a result, not everyone worldwide can freely register a .IN domain.

✅ Eligible Categories for .IN Domain Registration

There are four clearly defined categories. Your eligibility depends on who the registrant is and their connection to India.

1️⃣ Indian Individual (Fully Eligible)

Who qualifies?

• Indian citizen

• Indian resident

• Holds valid Indian government‑issued identification

How registration works

• The domain is registered in the individual’s personal name

• The individual is the legal owner of the domain

Typical documents

• PAN / Aadhaar / Indian Passport

• Signed declaration stating purpose of domain use

Status: ✅ Fully eligible | ✅ Low risk | ✅ Simple process

2️⃣ Indian Company / LLP / Registered Business (Fully Eligible – Recommended)

Who qualifies?

• Indian Private Limited Company

• LLP or Partnership Firm

• Registered Proprietorship

How registration works

• Domain is registered in the company’s legal name

• Managed by a Director or Authorized Signatory

Typical documents

• Certificate of Incorporation or business registration proof

• Company PAN / CIN

• Signed declaration

Status: ✅ Fully eligible | ⭐ Best option for businesses | 🔒 Audit‑safe

3️⃣ Foreign Individual or Foreign Company WITH Business, Operational, or Legal Presence in India

(Conditionally Eligible – Special Case)

Foreigners may be eligible to register a .IN domain only if they have a genuine and provable presence in India.

Examples of valid India presence

• Indian subsidiary / Pvt Ltd / LLP

• Branch office or liaison office in India

• Registered Indian distributor or partner

• Ongoing customers or commercial operations in India

• Trademark or brand usage in India

Important: Nationality alone does not determine eligibility. India presence does.

Two compliant ways to proceed in this category

✅ Option A: Register in the Name of the Indian Company (Strongly Recommended)

• Registrant is the Indian company

• Foreign founder/company acts as Director or Authorized Signatory

• Clean legal ownership

Why this option is preferred

• Lowest compliance risk

• Clear ownership

• Fully aligned with registry expectations

Once this is done, the registration is treated as an Indian Company registration (Category 2).

⚠️ Option B: Register in the Name of an Indian Individual (Alternative)

• Indian citizen agrees to be the legal owner

• Domain is registered in the individual’s name

• Foreign entity has usage rights only

Important notes

• Higher scrutiny

• Not recommended for long‑term branding

• Ownership disputes may arise later

4️⃣ Foreign Individual or Foreign Company WITHOUT India Presence

(Not Eligible)

Who falls under this category?

• Foreign personal websites

• Overseas businesses with no Indian operations

• Clients who only want .IN for branding with no India connection

Status

• ❌ .IN domain registration is not permitted

Recommended alternatives

• .com

• .net

• .org

Important Verification & Compliance Notes

• All .IN registrations are subject to verification and registry approval

• Submitting documents does not guarantee approval

• Additional documents may be requested at any time

• Domains that fail verification may be suspended or cancelled

Our Responsibility as an Accredited .IN Registrar

As an accredited registrar:

• We are legally required to follow registry policies

• We verify eligibility before registration

• We do not use shortcuts or workarounds

• We guide customers to the correct and compliant option

This protects both the registrant and the domain in the long term.

Need Help Choosing the Right Option?

If you’re unsure which category applies to you, we strongly recommend contacting us before placing an order. Our team will review your case and guide you correctly.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.domainindia.com

Disclaimer

.IN domain registrations are governed by policies of the .IN Registry. All registrations are subject to eligibility checks and verification. The registry reserves the right to suspend or cancel domains that do not meet policy requirements.